VIDEO: English Rugby has its first NFL player

Alex Gray found himself out of contract at the end of last season with English Championship side Yorkshire Carnegie.

With nothing to lose, he decided through his agent to opt for the unorthodox move across the pond and the bright lights of the NFL.

“Completely tongue-in-cheek I said, ‘If nothing comes up that we like shall we just go to the NFL and make a load of money’,” Gray told Press Association Sport.

With Alex Gray moving to the NFL, could more players switch?
via @FifteenRugbyXV #Rugby #NFL #AlexGray https://t.co/xxH1i3jVgY pic.twitter.com/H0BbDSiBvW

— Yoma (@yoma_uk) July 15, 2017

Two weeks later by chance the NFL would come knocking, as part of their International Player Pathway program.

Under the rules governing this scheme, teams in the NFC South division receive one extra practice squad position specifically for an international player, but these players cannot be activated during the season following their signing.

Four other European players were also selected to join teams from within the NFC South however none are coming from a rugby background such as Gray.

Gray has captained England at various age levels, teams which included players such as Mako Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Owen Farrell and George Ford.

He was also due to be selected for the Great Britain Sevens Rio Olympic side but a late injury would ultimately sabotage his dreams of becoming an Olympian.

For player who’s promise never really came to fruition within the fifteens format, perhaps this sea change will mark the beginning of an NFL success story for the now former rugby player.